Apparatus and method for operating a fuel reformer to generate multiple reformate gases

An onboard fuel reforming assembly, comprising:

• an onboard fuel reformer,
• an electrically-controlled flow diverter valve, and
• an electronic control unit electrically coupled to the onboard fuel reformer and the flow diverter valve, the electronic control unit comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• (a) operate the onboard fuel reformer so as to generate a first reformate gas having a first composition during a first period of time,
• (b) position the flow diverter valve so as to advance the first reformate gas to a first component during the first period of time,
• (c) operate the onboard fuel reformer so as to generate a second reformate gas having a second composition during a second period of time, and
• (d) position the flow diverter valve so as to advance the second reformate gas to a second component during the second period of time.

A method of operating an onboard fuel reforming assembly comprising the steps of:

• operating an onboard fuel reformer so as to generate a first quantity of reformate gas during a first period of time,
• advancing the first quantity of reformate gas to a first component during the first period of time,
• operating the onboard fuel reformer so as to generate a second quantity of reformate gas during a second period of time, and
• advancing the second quantity of reformate gas to a second component during the second period of time.

An onboard fuel reforming assembly, comprising:

• an onboard fuel reformer,
• an electrically-controlled flow diverter valve, and
• an electronic control unit electrically coupled to the onboard fuel reformer and the flow diverter valve, the electronic control unit comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• (a) operate the onboard fuel reformer so as to generate and advance a first quantity of reformate gas to a first component during a first period of time, and
• (b) operate the onboard fuel reformer so as to generate and advance a second quantity of reformate gas to a second component during a second period of time.